Southeast Virginia Research Articles

The American Way: A Swing State Epiphany

After weeks of country-rending culture-warmongering in the final stretch of the presidential campaign, my neighbors brought over some cookies last night and offered something that reminded me why we, as a nation, will always come through these ordeals intact... This very short essay tells the story of a politically divided neighborhood in battleground southeast Virginia during the final days of the 2008 presidential election. It forecasts redemption for the fractured American electorate based on a deep kindness between politically opposed neighbors on the eve of the election. The Chicago Tribune published a version of this essay as an op-ed on November 6, 2008.

A Survey of the Indigenous Microbiota (Bacteria) In Three Species of Mussels from the Clinch and Holston Rivers, Virginia

Freshwater mussel conservation efforts by many federal and state agencies have increased in recent years. This has led to a greater number of stream surveys, in which mussel die-offs involving high numbers of dead and moribund animals are being observed and reported with greater frequency. Typically, die-offs have been incidentally observed while research was being done for other purposes, therefore, accurate mortality data have been difficult to obtain. Specifically, seasonal die-offs were noted in localized areas of the Clinch and Holston Rivers, Virginia, and to lesser degrees, in neighboring rivers in this geographic region, including southeast Virginia. The observed mussel species affected were primarily the slabside pearlymussel (Lexingtonia dolabelloides) and to lesser extents, the pheasantshell (Actinonaias pectorosa), rainbow mussel (Villosa iris), and the endangered shiny pigtoe (Fusconaia cor). To determine if a bacterial pathogen might be involved in these recurring mussel die-offs, this study examined characteristics of the indigenous microbiota (bacteria) from healthy mussels from sites on the Clinch and Holston Rivers where die-offs were previously observed. These baseline data will allow for recognition of bacterial pathogens in future mussel die-offs. Means for total bacteria from soft tissues ranged from 1.77 × 105 to 3.55 × 106 cfu/g; whereas, the range in means from fluids was 2.92 × 104 to 8.60 × 105 cfu/mL. A diverse microbiota were recovered, including species that are common in freshwater aquatic environments. The most common bacterial groups recovered were motile Aeromonas spp. and nonfermenting bacteria. Flavobacterium columnare, a pathogen to cool- and warm-water fishes was recovered from one specimen, a Villosa iris from the Clinch River.

Characterizing red light runners following implementation of a photo enforcement program

Red light running causes about 260,000 crashes and 750 fatalities each year in the US (Retting, Ulmer, & Williams, 1999, Accident Analysis & Prevention). This study investigated the effects of photo enforcement cameras on reducing red light running and characterized the typical red light runner throughout photo enforcement program implementation. In Southeast Virginia, eight intersections were observed over an 8-month period during which photo enforcement cameras were installed at three sites. To assess spillover effects, three other sites served in a same city comparison group. Two additional sites from a nearby city served in a control group for city. Over 1750 light cycles were observed with red light running occurring at least once during 13% of these cycles. Predictors of red light runners included being at a site without a camera or at an intersection before deployment of cameras, being under the age of 26, being in the non-camera city, not using a safety belt, and driving in more traffic. While overall red light running decreased at camera sites, characteristics of the typical red light runner remained the same at camera and non-camera locations.

Using CO2 Efflux Rates to Indicate Below-Ground Growing Seasons by Land-use Treatment

CO2 efflux rates are affected by vegetation type, temperature, and soil surface conditions, and serve as an indicator of the length of the below-ground biological and microbial growing season. This study determined the effect of three land-use treatments on CO2 efflux and growing season lengths in Southeast Virginia on two forested mineral soil wetlands. CO2 efflux, soil temperature, and soil moisture were measured 24 times in 18 months at plots representing forest, early successional field, and bare ground land-use treatments. CO2 efflux differed (p field > bare ground. CO2 efflux was higher in hardwood- than conifer-dominated forest and higher in bare ground plots that were not inundated. Appreciable CO2 efflux took place even once leaves had fallen off deciduous trees, and most of the CO2 efflux appeared to be from vegetation rather than microbial sources during that period. Variability in CO2 efflux was best described by the interaction between soil temperature and soil moisture (R2 = 0.32) (p < 0.05). The below-ground growing season indicated by appreciable CO2 efflux was similar to that indicated by soil temperatures above 5°C measured at 50 cm, the regulatory reference depth. The CO2 efflux growing season was 365 days in the forest but was 9–16 days shorter in the field and 21–78 days shorter in the bare ground land-use treatment plots. These data can be used to modify the regulatory growing season definition in forested thermic wetlands and to reflect the environmental variation caused by different land uses.

Season Length Indicators and Land‐Use Effects in Southeast Virginia Wet Flats

The growing season concepts used by federal agencies in defining and regulating wetland hydrology ignore land use and rely on published surrogate indicators. This study compared several growing season indicators with measured air and soil temperature and hydrology data on three land‐use types in the Great Dismal Swamp ecosystem of Southeast Virginia to determine how accurate the indicators are on each land use. Water‐table depths, 1‐m air temperatures, and soil temperature at 50‐cm depths were measured for 18 mo at plots representing forest, early successional field (field), and tilled (bare ground) land‐use treatments at two study areas. Land use affected air and soil temperature through vegetation type and soil surface properties, both of which are important for wetland restoration. Based on soil temperature at 50 cm, the growing season was continuous in forests but was interrupted in January for 1 to 7 d in some field and bare ground plots. Soil temperatures at 50 cm rose above biological zero (5°C) 90 to 128 d before the published −2.2°C growing season started. The published −2.2°C growing season was 28 to 88 d longer than the measured equivalent, and began after the water tables rose and stayed continuously in the upper 30 cm. A continuous growing season declaration is proposed for federal regulations in thermic wet flats on all land uses. Lengthening the growing season did not cause the studied wetlands to fail the minimum federal wetland hydrology requirements for identification or delineation.

VIRGINIA LOOKS FOR CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS

WHEN THE GOING GETS tough, the tough get going. And so the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA) has increased its efforts to get businesses—including chemical manufacturing businesses—to locate or expand in southeast Virginia. HREDA represents the cities of Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake, and Isle of Wight County—all close to where Virginia meets the North Carolina state line. The port of Hampton Roads is one of the nation's busiest. The area also offers extensive rail connections, low electricity costs and taxes, and a strong labor pool—including 39,000 engineers, scientists, and technicians among its population of 1.6 million. However, HREDA attracted only 10 visits from companies of all types considering an expansion in the area during the first quarter of this year, versus 21 visits in are already present and employ about 1,400 people. Sure, he says, the area would like to boost biotechnology and high-tech businesses. It ...

524 Vegetable Production in Southeast Virginia

A research and extension program for increasing vegetable production in southeastern Virginia was launched by Virginia Cooperative Extension in 1997. The launch was triggered by the construction of a shipping point market in Southampton County. First, a market window study identified target crops and the harvest period when they could be most profitably marketed. Target crops were watermelon, sweet corn, snap beans, muskmelon, bell pepper, and pumpkin. Second, a technology transfer program was formulated that emphasized demonstrations, field days, classes, and workshops. On-farm demonstrations of intensive vegetable production techniques formed the foundations of the extension effort and focused on drip irrigation, plastic mulch on raised beds, water and nutrient monitoring, honey bee pollination, and integrated pest management (IPM). “Growing Vegetables for the Commercial Market” was the title of a short course offered in partnership with the local community college. Sixty-five graduates completed the course in 1999. Workshops were offered on farm labor, marketing, irrigation, and production techniques. On-farm research was conducted in support of the emerging vegetable industry. The focus was on sweet corn IPM, variety trials for watermelon and pumpkin, and soil and plant analysis. Information was made available to growers through a bimonthly newsletter, an annual bulletin entitled Commercial Production Recommendations, and VCE postings on the World Wide Web.

Plant Population Dynamics in Response to Fire in Longleaf Pine-Turkey Oak Barrens and Adjacent Wetter Communities in Southeast Virginia

PLOCHER, A. E. (Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529). Plant population dynamics in response to fire in longleaf pine-turkey oak barrens and adjacent wetter communities in southeast Virginia. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 126:213-225. 1999.-Permanent plots in the Zuni Pine Barrens (Isle of Wight County, Virginia) were sampled for four years to quantify population dynamics and dominance shifts in response to fire and to compare these effects among different moisture regimes. Fire caused an average 38% aboveground mortality in the overstory, 84% in the sapling/large shrub layer and nearly 100% in the understory, followed by a 3 to 11 fold increase in understory density. Regeneration in this study was predominantly by vegetative means, shrub species accounted for 90% of the postfire density and 80% of the increase in density. In the xeric barrens, Pinus palustris gained dominance of the overstory and sapling layer at the expense of Quercus laevis. In the subxeric barrens Pinus serotina remained dominant throughout the study. The same overstory species (P. serotinaiP. taeda, Acer rubrumiP. serotina) remained dominant throughout the study in wetter forests, but sapling layer pines were eliminated from the sample in the majority of these stands. In both barrens sites, the same species dominated the understory before and after the fire, and these species increased in number significantly more than others. Increases occurred only in the first year after fire. In wetter areas, most prefire dominant understory species were no longer important components of the communities after the fire, and several of these species decreased in number. Most postfire understory dominants were previously inconspicuous or absent from the wetter communities and these species increased significantly more than others. Increases in density in wetter areas occurred in both the first and second year after fire. These areas also had greater increases in species richness. Following fire, the Zuni Pine Barrens overstory was similar to those of southeastern pine barrens, while the understory closely resembled those of New Jersey pine barrens.

Resilience of forested wetlands located in the southeastern United States: Demonstration of a soil perturbation index

This study examined the usefulness of soil organic matter (SOM), total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP) as indicators of resilience in forested wetlands located within southeast Virginia, USA. These data were also examined as standards for reference wetlands before and after timber harvesting and for comparisons of mature and early successional stages. Results indicate that the wetland soils in this study seem to be relatively resilient to perturbation. Soil total phosphorus was significantly greater in the 0- and 0.5-year stages than the 5-, 8-, and 14-year stages (p<0.05). Although there were no significant differences in SOM, TOC, and TKN levels before and after timber harvest or between early and mature successional stages, there were consistent trends that may prove beneficial in determining reference standards. A Soil Perturbation Index was developed by combining all four parameters for soils collected in the Chowan River watershed to determine extent of deviation from the biogeochemical reference. Using the model developed in this study, biogeochemical functions decrease after harvesting, with the low point reached at approximately 8 to 9 years after human alteration. This index predicts that it would take 16–17 years for SOM, TOC, TKN, and TP to return to pre-harvest conditions. Perturbation indices could be used for assessment of human impacts, restoration projects, and mitigation of wetlands. We maintain that a Soil Perturbation Index can be one useful component of an index of biotic integrity for wetland ecosystems.

Robustness of Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) in Environmental Studies: Analysis of Chlorinated Pollutants in Tissues from the Osprey(PANDION HALIAETUS)and Several Fish Species

Abstract Most commonly used methods for the extraction and subsequent determination of chlorinated pollutants in biotic tissues are time-consuming and require large volumes of hazardous organic solvents. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has recently emerged as a potentially rapid, selective and environmentally-safe alternative. However, its robustness has not been widely evaluated for biological matrices. A SFE-based approach. using CO2 and solid-phase trapping, was successfully applied to the analysis of 644 fish fillets for chlorinated pesticides and PCBs. Resulting extracts required no pre-GC purification steps. Eight mesentery samples. obtained from osprey (Pandion haliaetus) carcasses associated with a mass mortality event in southeast Virginia, were also examined. Bird extracts required simple Florisil column purification prior to GC. Mean total PCB concentrations were much higher in osprey than in fish, 30,400 (SD 12,700) and 414 (SD 911) ug/kg, respectively. Dominant PCBs in the osprey possessed higher degrees of chlorination than those in the fish. Comparison of chromatographic patterns suggested preferential reductions in the concentrations of specific PCBs in the birds. 4,4-DDE was the major pesticide in both birds and fish. Mean concentrations were 8500 (SD 2380) and 81.2 (SD 127) ug/kg, respectively.

Polymerase chain reaction evidence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, an etiologic agent of human ehrlichiosis, in dogs from southeast Virginia

Abstract Objective To ascertain whether dogs are naturally infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Animals 74 dogs from 5 animal shelters and 1 kennel in 3 cities and 3 counties in southeastern Virginia were tested during June 1991. Procedure Blood was drawn from 74 dogs; 73 were tested serologically for antibodies reactive to E chaffeensis and E canis, and 38 were tested for the presence of E chaffeensis, E canis, and E ewingii by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serologic testing by indirect fluorescent antibody assay. Nested PCR used Ehrlichia-wide outside primers to detect initial products, followed by use of species-specific primers for identification. Results 28 (38.4%) dogs had a positive test result (minimum titer, ≥ 1:64) for antibodies reactive to E chaffeensis, and 28 (38.4%) had a positive reaction to E canis. PCR analysis indicated that 8 (42.1 %) dogs were positive for E chaffeensis and 6 dogs (31.6%) were positive for E ewingii. All dogs had negative results of the PCR test for E canis. Conclusion Dogs are potential reservoirs of E chaffeensis. Clinical Relevance Canine E chaffeensis infection may be more prevalent than E canis or E ewingii infection in this region of the United States. (Am J Vet Res 1996;57:1175-1179)

Helicobacter pylori gastritis: Investigation by rapid urease test, giemsa staining and routine histology: A 5-year pediatric experience in southeast virginia

Helicobacter pylori gastritis: Investigation by rapid urease test, giemsa staining and routine histology: A 5-year pediatric experience in southeast virginia

Methane flux fromPeltandra virginica:stable isotope tracing and chamber effects

Methane flux from plots ofPeltandra virginicain a bottomland hardwood swamp in southeast Virginia varied from 270 to 670 mg CH4m−2d−1from May to August and was 6 times greater than the flux from unvegetated adjacent open waters. Variations in chamber temperature, light, and CO2levels failed to produce systematic changes in CH4flux rate or its isotopic composition from vegetated plots, suggesting that CH4flux fromPeltandrais independent of stomatal aperture or hourly variations in photosynthetic rate. Comparisons of different chamber techniques for the collection of CH4for isotopic analysis and for flux measurements fromPeltandrasuggest that the effect of using simple uncontrolled chambers is small relative to temporal and spatial variations in methane emission and its isotopic composition. These results may be extended to other aquatic macrophytes which also transport gas primarily by molecular diffusion such asOryza, Carex, Pontederia, Sagittaria, and Cladium.The δ13C of CH4released fromPeltandravaried between −61 and −71 °/oo. Isotopic variations in CH4associated withPeltandraappeared to be controlled by transport effects. Methane withdrawn fromPeltandrastems was considerably13C enriched relative to sedimentary CH4and was not an indicator of the isotopic composition of CH4emitted by these plants. Hence emergent aquatic macrophytes rooted in organic‐rich sediments do not appear to be a source of13C enriched methane to the atmosphere. Emitted CH4was13C depleted relative both to the CH4within stems (−49 to −55 °/oo) and within sediments (‐56 to ‐58 °/oo), suggesting isotopic fractionation associated with the release of CH4by the plants. The preferential release of12CH4by the plants is partly compensated for by the enrichment of13C in CH4contained within the plant stem. Although the presence of methanotrophic bacteria within the rhizosphere ofPeltandrawas demonstrated, the stable isotopic composition of methane emitted from these plants or collected from sedimentary bubbles and plant stems presents no evidence for extensive oxidation of methane withinPeltandraor its rhizosphere. Either stable isotopes are not a good indicator of rhizopheric methane oxidation or the microbes' in situ respiration is limited by competition for oxygen with the demands of root respiration, oxidation of complex organic matter, ferrous iron oxidation, and nitrification.

Where is Terabithia?

Where is Terabithia? Katherine Paterson When I returned from Japan in 1962, I went to New York City to study at Union Seminary there. I had every intention of returning to Japan after my year at Union was over, but in February a young minister from a church in Buffalo came to Union for a continuing education program. In my weekly letter home, I made the mistake of mentioning that I had met such a person. At this point I had had exactly one very public, and as far as I was concerned, very casual lunch with the fellow, but my mother at once leaped to the most drastic conclusion possible under the circumstances. She rushed to tell her best friend the dreadful thing that had occurred. Katherine had gotten herself involved with a preacher from Buffalo. "Why, Mary," said Helen, "that's lovely. If Katherine marries him she'll stay in this country. She won't be going back to Japan all by herself." The text was written in 1583 by the monk Fray Bernardino Sahagun and is one of the first books printed in this hemisphere. Until now it has never been translated from the original Nahuatl, the Aztec language. In 1523, two years after Cortez's military victory, monks were sent from Spain to consolidate the conquest of Mexico. And this they did. In the next five years, one million Aztecs were converted to Christianity; in twenty years there nine million converts. Bereft of their gods, which the Spaniards had toppled from the pyramids and demolished, the Indians turned to the monks and embraced the new religion with fervor. But they missed the elaborate processions and ceremonies that had accompanied the old Aztec religion. To fill this gap, the monks introduced miracle plays, of which The Spirit Child is one. It is the story of the Nativity. In it are the volcanoes, which the Aztecs believed to be the entrances to Hell before Jesus was born. And when Jesus was born, three suns shone over Tenochtitlan, the capitol of Mexico. Mary went to Bethlehem on foot. There was no donkey for her to ride, for prior to the coming of the Spaniards, the only domestic animals the Aztecs had were dogs and turkeys, and in 1583, when the text was written, the Indians were forbidden to ride the horses, mules, and donkeys introduced by the Spaniards on pain of death. In conclusion, I would like to quote from a book on Chinese painting—The Tao of Painting, by Mai Mai Sze: " . . . the literal aim of painting [was the magic that] happened when skill with brush could transmit the spirit to silk or paper." This is what I am trying to do. "But," replied my mother, "I've been to Japan. I've never been to Buffalo." I share this story with you to indicate the weird brand of parochialism that existed, and perhaps still exists, in my family. We're forever put off by people that find exotic the places we call home, whether they are in upper Jiangsu Province or Northern Shikoku or Southeast Virginia. But the idea of leaving home and heading for a place called Buffalo, New York, seems on a par with Columbus setting sail west for East India. Let me remind you that it was not that John was either Presbyterian or a pastor that bothered my mother. She herself had been married to a Presbyterian pastor for thirty nine years. It wasn't even the actual city of Buffalo that she was objecting to. She'd never been to Buffalo. What was bothering her was the idea of Buffalo, which conjured up vague visions of snow and ice, but which she couldn't really picture. Buffalo was simply not real to her. [End Page 153] Flannery O'Connor, whose words about writing have meant a great deal to me, has said that fiction is "incarnational." By "incarnational" we mean that somehow the word or the idea has taken on flesh, has become physical, actual, real, We mean that the abstract idea can be perceived by way of the senses. This immediately makes fiction different from other kinds of stories. The fairy...

AN EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE POLICIES FOR CONTROLLING AGRICULTURAL NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION1

SummaryAn economic analysis of nonpoint source pollution management was conducted for the Nansemond River and Chuckatuck Creek watersheds in Southeast Virginia. The potential effects of alternative public policies on farm income, land use, and pollution loadings were investigated. Regulatory programs could have quite different impacts depending on which pollutant is targeted. Cost‐share rates greater than 50 percent would have little additional effect on pollution from crop enterprises, but would reduce pollution from livestock

Yaupon and Associated Vegetation Response to Seasonal Tebuthiuron Applications

Broadcast applications of tebuthiuron pellets (20% active ingredient [a.i.]) at 2 kg/ha (a.1.) in spring more effectively controlled yaupon than applications in summer, fall or winter on the Post Oak Savannah. Tebuthiuron applications in spring reduced the live canopy of yaupon by 80%. Tebuthiuron at 1 kg/ha did not effectively control yaupon, regardless of season of treatment. Herbaceous response to tebuthiuron was relatively slow because of lack of a seed source in the heavy yaupon covers. However, by December 1980 after applications of tebuthiuron at 2 or 4 kg/ha in spring or summer 1978, grass standing crops were significantly increased. Forb standing crops were highly variable, but there was no apparent forb reduction in 1980 of 1981 where herbicide was applied in 1978-1979. Yaupon (l/e_x vomiroriu Ait.), an evergreen number of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae), occurs throughout the Coastal Plain from southeast Virginia to central Florida and westward to eastern and southcentral Texas(Vines 1960). Yauponoccursonapproximately I million ha in Texas and canopy cover of about 40% of the stands are greater than 20% (Smith and Rechenthin 1964). Although yaupon is excellent browse for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginiunus L.) (Halls 1977) and is browsed by cattle (Lehman and Davis 1966). dense cover essentially precludes development of herbaceous forage stands. Yaupon is a serious range management problem on moist, sandy sites in the Post Oak Savannah, 3.5 million ha of gently rolling to hilly lands in east central Texas (Scifres 1980). Two successive annual applications of 2.2 kg/ ha of 2,4,5-x(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] usually kills 75% of post oaks (Quercus stellata Wang.) and blackjack oaks (Quercus marilandica Muenchh.) (Lehman and Davis 1966). However, yaupon normally resists this treatment, and stands may dramatically increase in density and canopy cover following oak control (Scifres 1980). Picloram (4amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) pellets or sprays applied broadcast at 2.2 kg/ ha appear promising for yaupon control (Bovey et al. 1969, 1972; Scifres and Haas 1974), but hexazinone [2-cyclohexyl-6_dimethylamino)-I-methyl-1,3,5triazine-2,4( I H, 3Hdione)l at rates to 4 kg/ ha does not appear effective against yaupon (Scifres 1982). Scifres et al. (1981) reported that aerial applications of 2 or 4 kg/ ha (a.i.) of tebuthiuron [N-(5_Cl,Idimethylethyl]-l,3,4thiadiazol-2-yl)-N,N’dimethylurea] as the 20% pellets in spring effectively controlled yaupon. However, efficacy of rates less than 2 kg/ha and applied at various seasons specifically for yaupon control has not been reported. Objectives of this research were to determine the efficacy of I, 2, and 4 kg/ ha of tebuthiuron pellets applied seasonally for yaupon control, and herbaceous response to yaupon control with tebuthiuron. Authors are former research assistant and professor, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (Department of Range Science)~ Texas AM and of Julia Scifres in manuscript preparation and typing. Manuscript received May 20, 1982.

Underrow Ripping of Peanuts in Virginia1

Abstract The effects of underrow ripping on peanut yields have been studied for several years along with other tillage production practices. In this study, tillage treatments included no ripping and ripping under the plant row in combination with four methods of seedbed preparation. The bed preparations were prepared flat (conventionally), with a rotary tiller and bed shaper, with a disk bedder, and with a rolling cultivator. Test plots were planted at different locations each year to assess different soil conditions. To evaluate these tillage treatments, yield, grade, value, and incidence of pod breakdown were recorded. Results indicated that underrow ripping compared to not ripping directly under the plant row adversely affected crop yield and value in some soil conditions but had no effect in other soil conditions. Peanut roots penetrated the subsoil region even in soil types with an A2 layer. Under-row ripping appeared to enhance the incidence of pod breakdown, caused by Pythium myriotylum and Rhizoctonia solani. It does not appear to be an advantageous tillage operation to use in peanut production systems for southeast Virginia based on these responses and the additional energy required to perform the operation.

WATER QUALITY MODELING IN THE UPPER REACHES OF THE CHOWAN RIVER1

ABSTRACT: The Chowan River system consists of three rivers in southeast Virginia that form two confluences before flowing into Albermarle Sound in North Carolina. A computer program was written to simulate flows through the river system to determine flow rates, velocities, and depths. The output of the flow program was input into a second program that calculated the concentrations of BOD5, COD, DO, and four nitrogen parameters (organic, ammonia, nitrite‐nitrate and algal‐N). Measured field data were used to calibrate the model. The effect of reducing the concentration of nutrients from overland runoff on algal concentrations at the mouth of the river was studied. The program was also run to simulate the water quality of the watershed in a primitive condition, in which the watershed was assumed to consist only of forests. The results of the computer program indicate that the major changes in the water quality of the river are simulated satisfactorily. The program can be used to assess the impact of any management scheme to improve water quality.